Forever 21 wants to open in 16 Gottschalks stores

The Fresno-based department store chain is currently undergoing bankruptcy liquidation at its 58 stores. It supports Forever 21's $17.7 million bid to buy three stores and acquire leases for 13 stores in medium-sized cities from California to Alaska.

The bid is part of the Los Angeles-based company's plan to continue the store expansion it began since buying 15 bankrupt Mervyns stores in January.

If approved by a bankruptcy judge, the move would buoy cities that have been worried about the loss in sales tax revenue from Gottschalks' demise.